A power struggle within the Bermuda Powerboat Association has left the once-thriving sport foundering in a sea of discontent.

Yesterday's races at Ferry Reach were cancelled following the resignation of commodore Paul Rodrigues and two members of his executive during a stormy meeting last Thursday night.

Rear commodore -- or vice president -- Ken Parker is in line to take over the wheel upon his return to the Island today.

But just how long he'll be in charge remains in doubt because of a rebel group of members, believed to include past commodore Craig Burt and former champion driver Pat Stamper.

"There are just a handful of guys trying to benefit themselves and I just had enough of it,'' Rodrigues said yesterday. "I had no more patience for them.'' Rodrigues' resignation -- along with that of flag officers Jesse Furtado and Louis Martins -- came just at a time when a cabal of members were plotting his overthrow.

But Rodrigues beat them to it and without an immediate replacement voted in, yesterday's races could not go ahead, although it was unlikely they would have proceeded anyway because of inclement weather.

At the root of the dispute is a controversial new rule that requires drivers to compete in a minimum of three races during the season in order to be eligible for the annual Round the Island Race.

The rule, designed to drive up the number of boats competing during bi-weekly races during the summer, was passed by the membership in March.

Unable to meet the criteria, several drivers have "taken it upon themselves to act in their own interest and not that of the association,'' Rodrigues said.

"These guys don't understand that that you have to have numbers to get sponsors (and spectators) ... If they keep it up, they are going to drive the sport to its lowest level ever.'' Burt could not be reached for comment.

One source said at least three drivers had not raced at all this season because their boat engines are not even on the Island. Only seven boats took part in the previous week's races and membership has dwindled to less than 100 from a high of three times that in the 1980s.

Rodrigues took over from Burt two years ago with a mandate of the three-race minimum and drug-testing in order to clean up the sport's image, attract sponsorship and young drivers.

Rodrigues said he would continue to race "because I have nothing against the association'' but urged others to "put their foot down and keep (the sport) growing.'' He believes he had support of the membership but that many drivers don't know the BPA constitution and therefore are misled by "false information'' being spread by the rebels.

Treasurer Theresa Martins and flag officers Mike Lopes and Joe Correia are the only members of the 1998 executive remaining.